Process For Producing Deformed Nonwoven

ABSTRACT

A process for producing a deformed nonwoven is described. The process includes the steps of: adjusting a water content of a nonwoven such that the nonwoven has at least one area having a water content of at least about 12% by weight of the nonwoven in the area, and subjecting the nonwoven to a mechanical deformation process. The deformation process is a mechanical deformation of the nonwoven and dewatering of the nonwoven to obtain a deformed nonwoven.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process for producing deformed nonwoven having deformations with high clarity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nonwovens are widely used in a variety of absorbent articles for personal hygiene, such as disposable diapers for infants, training pants for toddlers, adult incontinence undergarments and/or sanitary napkins which are designed to absorb and contain body exudates, in particular large quantities of urine, runny bowel movement (BM) and/or menses.

Various nonwovens have been suggested for use as a component such as topsheets for absorbent articles from the standpoints of skin sensation, a feeling of dryness, comfort, absorption of expelled bodily fluids, and prevention of fluid flow-back.

It may be desirable that nonwovens have a visible image or pattern at least one surface thereof as considered that nonwoven having images or patterns may have a breathable appearance, and delight users with a unique pattern.

Frequently, nonwovens used as a component of absorbent articles are deformed to improve performance of the article as well as to provide aesthetic visual impression. In some instances, it may be desirable that deformations such as apertures, protrusion, and embossing have a clean and clear shape and a size regularity to provide a desirable visual quality and efficient handling of body exudates. It may be also desirable nonwovens comprise natural fibers or regenerated cellulose-based fibers. These fibers however do not behave like the synthetic fibers in deformation process. When nonwovens contain natural fibers or regenerated cellulose-based fibers, conventional mechanical aperturing process like pin aperturing as well as water jet aperturing may result in low quality apertures such as apertures having an insufficient small size, less number of apertures than intended to form, apertures in non-uniform aperture shapes and sizes, or apertures having a low clarity. All these may lead to unsatisfactory visual quality of the nonwovens and/or deteriorated body exudates handling.

As such, it is desirable to provide a process for producing deformed nonwovens having clean and clear deformations.

It is also desirable to provide a process for producing deformed nonwovens having deformations as designed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for producing a deformed nonwoven comprising; adjusting a water content of a nonwoven in such a way that the nonwoven comprises at least one area having a water content of at least about 12 wt %, and subjecting the nonwoven to a mechanical deformation process, the deformation process comprising mechanical deformation of the nonwoven and dewatering of the nonwoven.

In another embodiment, the present invention also relates to a process for producing a deformed nonwoven comprising; subjecting a fibrous web to an entanglement process to obtain a nonwoven, adjusting a water content of a nonwoven in such a way that the nonwoven comprises at least one area having a water content of a least about 12 wt %, and subjecting the nonwoven to a mechanical deformation process, the deformation process comprising mechanical deformation of the nonwoven and dewatering of the nonwoven.

The present invention also relates to an absorbent article comprising the nonwoven produced by the process discloses herein.

For ease of discussion, the absorbent article and the three-dimensional substrate will be discussed with reference to the numerals referred to in these Figures. The Figures and detailed description should however not be considered limiting the scope of the claims, unless explicitly indicated otherwise, and the invention disclosed herein is also used in a wide variety of absorbent article forms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like numerals or other designations designate like features throughout the views.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a process according to the present invention for making a deformed nonwoven.

FIG. 2 is schematic representation of an example of deforming process.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another process according to the present invention for making a deformed nonwoven.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a hydroentanglement process.

FIG. 5 is a microscopic image of an apertured nonwoven (Nonwoven 1) produced by a pin aperturing process.

FIG. 6 is a microscopic image of an apertured nonwoven (Nonwoven 2) produced by a pin aperturing process.

FIG. 7 is a microscopic image of an apertured nonwoven (Nonwoven 4) produced by a pin aperturing process.

FIG. 8 is a microscopic image of an apertured nonwoven (Nonwoven 6) produced by a pin aperturing process.

FIG. 9 is a microscopic image of an apertured nonwoven (Nonwoven 7) produced by a pin aperturing process.

FIG. 10 is a microscopic image of an apertured nonwoven (Nonwoven 9) produced by a pin aperturing process.

FIG. 11 is a microscopic image of an apertured nonwoven (Nonwoven 10) produced by a pin aperturing process.

FIG. 12 is a microscopic image of an apertured nonwoven (Nonwoven 11) produced by a water-jet aperturing process.

FIG. 13 is a microscopic image of an embossed nonwoven (Nonwoven 12) produced by an embossing process.

FIG. 14 is a microscopic image of an embossed nonwoven (Nonwoven 13) produced by an embossing process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various non-limiting forms of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of an absorbent article comprising back ears having unique engineering strain properties and low surface roughness. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those ordinary skilled in the art will understand that the absorbent articles described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting example forms and that the scope of the various non-limiting forms of the present disclosure are defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting form may be combined with the features of other non-limiting forms. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

“Absorbent article” refers to wearable devices, which absorb and/or contain liquid, and more specifically, refers to devices, which are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. Absorbent articles can include diapers, training pants, adult incontinence undergarments, feminine hygiene products such as sanitary napkins and pantyliners, and wipes.

The term “cellulose-based fibers”, as used herein, intends to include both natural cellulose-based fibers, regenerated cellulose-based fibers such as rayon and viscose, and synthetic fibers that comprise cellulose-based content. Natural cellulose-based fibers include cellulosic matter such as wood pulp; seed hairs, such as cotton; stem (or bast) fibers, such as flax and hemp; leaf fibers, such as sisal; and husk fibers, such as coconut.

The term “deformation process”, as used herein, means a process to change a material shape or density in at least one area in the material by applying stresses, heat, pressure, or strains.

The term “deformed nonwoven”, as used herein, means a nonwoven comprising discrete deformations formed therein. The deformations may be features in the form of apertures, protrusions, depression (embossing), or any combinations thereof. These features may extend out from the surface on one side of the web, or from both of the surfaces of the web. Different features may be intermixed with one another.

The term “forming elements”, as used herein, refers to any elements on the surface of a forming member such as a roll, plate and belt that are capable of deforming a nonwoven.

“Nonwoven” refers to a manufactured web of directionally or randomly orientated fibers, excluding paper and products which are woven, knitted, tufted, stitch-bonded incorporating binding yarns or filaments, or felted by wet-milling, whether or not additionally needled. Nonwoven materials and processes for making them are known in the art. Generally, processes for making nonwoven materials comprise laying fibers onto a forming surface, which can comprise spunlaying, meltblowing, carding, airlaying, wetlaying, coform and combinations thereof. The fibers can be of natural or man-made origin and may be staple fibers or continuous filaments or be formed in situ.

As used herein, the term “natural fibers” refers to elongated substances produced by plants and animals and comprises animal-based fibers and plant-based fibers. Natural fibers may comprise fibers harvested without any post-harvest treatment step as well as those having a post-treatment step, such as, for example, washing, scouring, and bleaching. As used herein, the term “plant-based fibers” comprises both harvested fibers and synthetic fibers that comprise bio-based content. Harvested plant-based fibers may comprise cellulosic matter, such as wood pulp; seed hairs, such as cotton; stem (or bast) fibers, such as flax and hemp; leaf fibers, such as sisal; and husk fibers, such as coconut.

Process for Producing Deformed Nonwoven

A process according to the present invention comprises adjusting a water content of a nonwoven in such a way that the nonwoven comprises at least one area having a water content of at least about 12% by weight of the nonwoven in the area, and subjecting the nonwoven to a mechanical deformation process, the deformation process comprising mechanical deformation of the nonwoven and dewatering of the nonwoven.

Referring to FIG. 1 depicting a simplified, schematic view of an exemplary process according to the present invention, nonwoven 20 is supplied to a water content adjustment unit 200 where a water content of nonwoven 20 is adjusted, so that the nonwoven 20 comprises at least one area having a water content of at least about 12%, or at least 20%, or at least about 30%, or at least about 40% by weight of the nonwoven in the area.

A water content of nonwoven 20 in the water content adjustment unit 200 may can be adjusted by for example, applying moisture to nonwoven 20 or drying nonwoven 20 using any known and suitable method.

In some embodiments, a water content of a nonwoven may be adjusted by applying moisture to the nonwoven. As one example, a water content of a nonwoven may be adjusted by moisturizing a nonwoven utilizing a chamber equipped with a moisture generation machine to make the chamber is filled with moistures. Nonwoven is supplied to and goes through the chamber, and the nonwoven gets moisturized while it passes the chamber so that the nonwoven has a water content in a target range. As another example, a water content of a nonwoven can be adjusted by moisturizing a nonwoven utilizing a water pipe with a plurality of nozzles. The water pipe may be positioned above a nonwoven to be moisturized, and water spray is applied through the nozzles to apply water so that the nonwoven has a water content in a target range. In some of such embodiments, the entire area of the nonwoven is moisturized.

In some embodiments, a water content of a nonwoven may be adjusted by drying the nonwoven to remove excess water from the nonwoven, for example when the process of the present invention is on-line process conducted continuously following hydroentanglement to produce a nonwoven web. Nonwoven from the hydroentanglement containing excess amount of water may be passed through a dewatering device such as a drying system where excess water is removed so that the nonwoven has a water content in a target range.

In some embodiments, a water content of at least one pre-determined region in a nonwoven may be adjusted by a positioned moisturizing process. For example, printing technology like flex printing or engraving printing well known in the industry can be used to print/supply water into specific determined region(s) on nonwoven so that the pre-determined regions are moisturized as desired.

Referring to FIG. 1, nonwoven 20 leaving the water content adjustment unit 200 may comprise at least one area having a water content of about at least 12%, or at least 20%, or at least about 30%, or at least about 40% by weight of the nonwoven in the area. In some embodiments, the entire area of nonwoven 20 is moisturized to have a water content of about at least 12%, or at least 20%, or at least about 30%, or at least about 40% by weight of the nonwoven. In other embodiments, nonwoven 20 comprises a plurality of moisturized areas, each moisturized area having a water content about at least 12%, or at least 20%, or at least about 30%, or at least about 40% by weight of the nonwoven in the area. The moisturized areas may be pre-determined areas where deformations are formed. Without wishing to be bound by theory, a water content of nonwoven may affect to deformation quality. In nonwoven comprising cellulose-based fibers, the cellulose-based fibers in a dry condition are connected via hydrogen bonds. When the nonwoven absorbs enough moisture, hydrogen bonds connecting fibers are released and the fibers get more flexible to move, so that nonwoven gets easier to be deformed.

Fibers forming the nonwoven 20 can be of natural or man-made origin and may be staple fibers or continuous filaments or be formed in situ. The nonwoven 20 may comprise cellulose-based fibers, for example, at least 15%, or at least 20%, or at least 50%, or at least 90% by weight of the nonwoven. In one embodiment, 100% of fibers constituting the nonwoven 20 is cellulose-based fibers.

The nonwoven 20 may comprise a single layer. It may comprise two or more layers, which may form a unitary structure or may remain as discrete layers which may be attached at least partially to each other by, for example, thermal bonding, adhesive bonding or a combination thereof. A unitary structure herein intends to mean that although it may be formed by several sub-layers that have distinct properties and/or compositions from one another, they are somehow intermixed at the boundary region so that, instead of a definite boundary between sub-layers, it would be possible to identify a region where the different sub-layers transition one into the other. Such a unitary structure is typically built by forming the various sub-layers one on top of the other in a continuous manner, for example using air laid or wet laid deposition. Typically, there is no adhesive used between the sub-layers of the unitary material. However, in some cases, adhesives and/or binders can be present although typically in a lower amount that in multilayer materials formed by separate layers.

The nonwoven 20 may has a basis weight of 20 gsm-100 gsm, or 25 gsm-50 gsm, or 30 gsm-50 gsm.

Referring to FIG. 1, nonwoven 20 leaving the water content adjustment unit 200 is transferred to a deformation unit 300 where the nonwoven 20 is mechanically deformed and dewatered to produce a deformed nonwoven 30.

Mechanical deformation of nonwoven may be conducted via various processes known to those skilled in the art. Mechanical deformation process may comprise a process using a deformation apparatus selected from the group consisting of an aperture forming process, a protrusion forming process, an embossing forming process and any combination thereof. Mechanical deformation of a nonwoven may be conducted using a mechanical deformation apparatus. Mechanical deformation apparatuses forming embossing and/or apertures are well known in the art such as WO2011/090974 and WO2015/134359. In some embodiments, a deformation process may comprise subjecting a nonwoven to a deformation apparatus, the deformation apparatus comprising a first forming member and a second forming member, and moving the nonwoven through a nip that is formed between the first and second forming members so that deformations are formed in the nonwoven as the first forming member and the second forming member are engaged. Although the apparatuses will be described herein for convenience primarily in terms of rolls, it should be understood that the description will be applicable to forming structures comprising a forming member that have any other suitable configurations.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an example of mechanical deformation of nonwoven. A nonwoven 20 is passed through a nip 502 formed by a pair of rolls 500, two intermeshing rolls 504 and 506, to form deformations in nonwoven web 20. The first roll 504 may comprise a plurality of first elements such as protrusions extending outwardly from the first roll 504. The first elements on the first roll 504 may be various in a size, shape, height, area, width and/or dimension which may determine the size, shape and dimension of deformations such as apertures and embossing. The second roll 506 may have a flat surface. Or, the second roll 506 may comprise grooves intermeshing with the protrusions of the first roll 504. When the nonwoven 20 comprises thermoplastic fibers, at least one of the rolls 504 and 506 may be heated to a temperature to soften fibers constituting the nonwoven 20 but lower than the melting point the fibers. When the fiber comprises a sheath/core type bicopolymer, at least one of the rolls 504 and 506 may be heated to a temperature higher than the melting point of the sheath polymer. In some embodiments, a first roll 504 may create the apertures (in combination with the second roll) and a second roll 506 may create projections (in combination with the first roll) in the nonwoven 20. The first roll 506 may comprise a plurality of first forming elements such as teeth, and a plurality of second recesses formed in a radial outer surface of the first roll 504. The second roll 506 may comprise a plurality of second forming element extending radially outwardly from the second roll 506 configured to at least partially engage with the second recesses in the first roll 504.

The nonwoven 20 mechanically deformed is dewatered to produce a deformed nonwoven. The nonwoven 20 may be dewatered by introducing heat to the nonwoven to evaporate at least part of water the nonwoven contains. Any of various heat sources known in the nonwoven manufacturing process such as a heated roller, oven, burner, and/or infrared radiation, and any combination thereof can be employed to introduce heat to the nonwoven to evaporate the water. For example, heat may be introduced to the nonwoven by directly contacting a hear source such as a heated roller to the nonwoven. Or, heat may be introduced to the nonwoven by providing a hot air using an oven, a burner, or infrared radiation source. The nonwoven 20 may be dewatered by providing compression to the nonwoven. The dewatered nonwoven may have a water content less than about 20%, or less than about 15%, or less than about 12%, or less than about 10%. Without wishing to be bound by theory, prompt reduction of moisture (or water) in the mechanically deformed nonwoven while deformations formed in the nonwoven are maintained results in formation of new hydrogen bonds among fibers which may stabilize the deformation.

In the mechanical deformation process of the present invention, mechanical deformation of a nonwoven may be conducted prior to dewatering the nonwoven. Or, mechanical deformation and dewatering a nonwoven may be carried out simultaneously. In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 2, the deformation process suitable for the present invention comprises subjecting the nonwoven to a deformation apparatus, the deformation apparatus comprising a first forming member and a second member, wherein the first forming member comprises first forming elements on its surface, wherein at least one of the first forming member and the second forming member is heated, and moving the nonwoven through a nip that is formed between the first and second forming members so that deformations are formed in the nonwoven as the first forming member and the second forming member are engaged, wherein the nonwoven contacts the first and second forming members for sufficient time the deformations are formed and dewatering of the nonwoven occurs.

In some embodiments, the deformation process comprises a pin-aperturing process. Referring to FIG. 2, a first roll 504 may comprise a plurality of first forming elements such as teeth being tapered from a base and a tip, the teeth being joined to the first roll. The second roll 506 may comprise a plurality of first recesses which intermesh with the first forming elements on the first roll at the nip. At least one of the rolls 504 and 506 may be heated to introduce enough heat to the nonwoven during a contact time to form apertures as intended and the moisture in the nonwoven can be evaporated. A roll temperature may be determined considering a contact time of the nonwoven and the heated roll. Though a low temperature such as 50° C. may be employed with an extended contact time, it may not be efficient applying to a high speed deformation process. Given a trend of high nonwoven production process, the first and/or second forming member such as a roll may be heated to a temperature higher than 70° C., or higher than 80° C., or higher than 100° C., or higher than 110° C., or higher than 120° C.

Referring to FIG. 1, the deformed nonwoven 30 is optionally subjected to a drying unit 400 to further dry the deformed nonwoven 30. The deformed nonwoven 30 may be further dried to have a water or other solution content, less than about 12%, less than about 10%, or less than about 5% by weight to prevent an issue due to microorganism growth.

In some embodiments, a process of the present invention comprises (a) subjecting a fibrous web to an entanglement process to obtain a nonwoven, (b) adjusting a water content of the nonwoven in such a way that the nonwoven comprises at least one area having a water content of at least 12% by weight of the nonwoven, and (c) subjecting the nonwoven to a mechanical deformation process to produce a deformed nonwoven. The entanglement process is a hydroentanglement process or a needle punching process. The (b) and the (c) steps may be carried out simultaneously.

FIG. 3 depicts a simplified, schematic view of another exemplary process according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, a fibrous web 10 is supplied to an entanglement unit 100 for fiber entanglement to produce a nonwoven web 20. The nonwoven 20 is supplied to a water content adjustment unit 200 where a water content of the nonwoven 20 is adjusted so that the nonwoven 20 comprises at least one area having a water content of a least about 12% by weight of the nonwoven in the area. The nonwoven 20 is subjected to a deformation unit 300 to mechanically deform the nonwoven and dewater the nonwoven. Still referring to FIG. 3, the deformed nonwoven 30 may be subjected to a drying unit 400 to dry the deformed nonwoven 30 to have a water content of less than 10% by weight of the nonwoven.

The fiber entanglement in the entanglement unit 100 can be carried out by any method known for fiber entanglement such as a needle punching method, a hydro-entangling method, a water vapor flow (steam jetting) entangling method, and the like. In some embodiments, the fiber entanglement is carried out using a hydroentangling method.

Descriptions with respect to the deformation process and drying process with respect to the process of FIG. 1 above apply to the process of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 depicts a simplified, schematic view of one example hydroentangled nonwoven manufacturing process. As is generally known in the art, hydroentanglement (sometimes referred to as spunlacing, jet entanglement, water entanglement, hydroentanglement or hydraulic needling), is a mechanical bonding process whereby fibers of a nonwoven web are entangled by means of high pressure water jets. Patterning can be achieved by use of patterned drums or belts which cause the fibers to form a negative image of the drum design in the fabric. The formed web of various fibrous components (usually airlaid, wetlaid, or carded, but sometimes spunbond or melt-blown, etc.) can first be compacted and prewetted to eliminate air pockets and then water-needled. With reference to FIG. 4, a fibrous web 10 upstream of a jet head 32 passes under the jet head 32 and go through hydroentanglement. During the entanglement process, the fibrous web 10 is passed by the jet head 32 that comprises a plurality of injectors that are positioned to generally form a water curtain (for simplicity of illustration, only one injector 34 is illustrated in FIG. 4). A water jet 36 is directed through the fibrous web 10 at high pressures, such as 150 or 400 bar. As is to be appreciated, while not illustrated, multiple rows of injectors 34 are typically used, which can be positioned on one or both sides of the fibrous web 10.

Hydroentangled nonwoven 20 can be supported by any suitable support system 39, such as a moving wire screen (as illustrated) or on a rotating porous drum, for example. While not illustrated, it is to be appreciated that hydroentanglement systems can expose the fibrous web 10 to a series of jet heads 32 along the machine direction, with each delivering water jets at different pressures. The particular number of jet heads 32 utilized can be based on, for example, desired basis weight, degree of bonding required, characteristics of the web, and so forth. As the water jet 36 penetrates the web, a suction slot 38 positioned proximate beneath the fibrous web 10 collects the water so that it can be filtered and returned to the jet head 32 for subsequent injection. The water jet 36 delivered by the jet head 32 exhausts most of its kinetic energy primarily in rearranging fibers within the fibrous web 10 to turn and twist the fibers to form a series of interlocking knots.

Once the fibrous web 10 has been hydroentangled, the nonwoven 20 is then passed through a dewatering device 42 where excess water is removed. The dewatering device 42 can be any suitable dewatering system including a drying system such as a multi-segment multi-level bed dryer, a vacuum system, and/or an air drum dryer, for example. The dewatering device 42, serves to dewater and dry the nonwoven 20, so that the nonwoven 20 has a water content (in the range of from about 20 wt % to about 70 wt %. The deformed nonwoven 30 after being dried may be further treated with additional heat especially when the nonwoven includes synthetic fibers. The synthetic fibers begin to soften, and these softened fibers touch each other, bonds will form between the fibers, thereby increasing the overall flexural rigidity of the structure due to the formation of these bond sites.

Deformed Nonwoven

Deformed nonwoven produced by a process according to the present invention may provide apertures exhibiting a high geometric quality such that more numbers of apertures having an intended size as compared to the apertures of the comparative examples. In addition, deformed nonwoven produced by a process according to the present invention may provide apertures having higher clarity when indicated as a percent occlusion. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that increased deformation numbers in a given apertured pattern and deformation clarity may result in a deformed nonwoven with improved bodily exudate handling performance as well as an improved visible perception, and increased robustness during the manufacture of absorbent articles or apertured nonwoven webs.

FIG. 5 is a microscopic image of a related art deformed nonwoven 30 (Nonwoven 1) apertured by a conventional pin aperturing process where a water content of a nonwoven was not adjusted. FIGS. 6-11 are microscopic images of deformed nonwovens, Nonwovens 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10, respectively, produced by a process according to the present invention. FIGS. 2-10 has an image size of 31 mm×26 mm, and FIG. 11 has an image size of 37 mm×33 mm.

Nonwovens 2-10 of the present invention have more numbers of quality apertures in a given aperture pattern than deformed Nonwoven 1 produced using the same toolings. Given Nonwovens 1-9 were produced using the same toolings with a pin pattern intended to form an identical aperture pattern with the same number of target apertures, the nonwovens were supposed to have the same number of apertures in a given pattern. Deformed nonwoven produced by a process according to the present invention may have a high aperture rate, measured according to Aperture Quality Test under MEASUREMENT, such as higher than 30%, higher than 50%, higher than 60%, higher than 70, higher than 80%, higher than 90%, and higher than 95% when the aperture rate is defined as below.

Aperture rate=(number of quality apertures/number of target apertures)×100

The number of target apertures herein means the total number of apertures intended to form which may be determined by tooling designs such as number of pins in a pin-aperturing apparatus.

This high aperture rate may be important when designing aperture patterns as aperture patterns are important both for visual quality as well as for robustness of the nonwoven web, especially during the process of manufacturing an absorbent article, and aiding in distribution of strain evenly across a nonwoven web, aiding in robustness while under strain during a manufacturing process.

FIG. 12 is a microscopic image (image size: 36 mm×20 mm) of a related art nonwoven, Nonwoven 11, apertured by a water jet aperturing process where apertures exhibit stray fibers extending across the apertures.

Referring FIGS. 6-11, deformations, apertures in these cases, of deformed nonwoven 30 produced by the process of the present invention may have improved aperture clarity as compared to those of the related art such as water jet aperturing process. In other words, the deformed nonwoven 30 may be substantially less fibers extending across or into the plurality of apertures. This may improve desirable visual quality, and provide for better bodily exudate acquisition in that the aperture opening is large enough to overcome the surface tension of the bodily exudate. The plurality of apertures in nonwovens produced by a process according to the present invention having fewer fibers extending therethrough or thereacross may lead to improved bodily exudate acquisition, especially in a hydrophobic nonwoven topsheet context. If a hydrophobic fiber or fibers extend(s) across, partially across, or into an aperture, this may effectively reduce the size of the aperture, and potentially cause reduced bodily exudate acquisition by providing a small aperture opening. As such, the plurality of apertures formed by a process of the present invention may be about 6% or less occluded, or 5% or less occluded, or 4.5% or less occluded, according to the Aperture Clarity Test as described below.

Deformed nonwoven produced by a process according to the present may comprise a second plurality of deformations, such that a first plurality of apertures and the second plurality of apertures forming zones in the deformed nonwoven. Each zone may comprise a plurality of apertures that may exhibit a highly regular geometric quality such that there is little variance in the shape and/or size of one aperture as compared to another aperture within the same zone, but the aperture size and/or shape varies between zones.

The deformed nonwoven according to the present invention can be incorporated into, for example, an absorbent article. For example, an absorbent article may have a component such as a topsheet and/or an outer most sheet comprising the deformed nonwoven.

The deformed nonwoven may comprise a plurality of apertures or a plurality of embosses over the entirety of the nonwoven, or may comprise a plurality of apertures or embosses over one or more discrete areas or zones of the nonwoven. The nonwoven may comprise two or more zones which each define a plurality of apertures or a plurality of embosses, and the apertures or the emboss exhibiting a high degree of regularity in shape and size within each zone, but having different sizes and/or different shapes between the zones. The apertures or embosses may also form any fanciful pattern in the nonwoven.

Absorbent Article

The present invention also provides an absorbent article comprising a layer comprising a nonwoven or a laminate according to the present invention. The absorbent article of the present invention may comprise a topsheet and a backsheet joined to the topsheet. The absorbent article of the present invention may further comprise an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. In some embodiments, the absorbent article of the present invention comprises a topsheet or a layer disposed below the topsheet comprising a nonwoven or a laminate according to the present invention.

The absorbent articles of the present invention may be produced industrially by any suitable means. The different layers may thus be assembled using standard means such as embossing, thermal bonding, gluing or any combination thereof.

Topsheet

Topsheet can catch body fluids and/or allow the fluid penetration inside the absorbent article. With the nonwoven according to the present invention, the first web layer is preferably, disposed on a side in contact with the skin.

Backsheet

Any conventional liquid impervious backsheet materials commonly used for absorbent articles may be used as backsheet. In some embodiments, the backsheet may be impervious to malodorous gases generated by absorbed bodily discharges, so that the malodors do not escape. The backsheet may or may not be breathable.

Absorbent Core

It may be desirable that the absorbent article further comprises an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. As used herein, the term “absorbent core” refers to a material or combination of materials suitable for absorbing, distributing, and storing fluids such as urine, blood, menses, and other body exudates. Any conventional materials for absorbent core suitable for absorbent articles may be used as absorbent core.

Measurement

1. Water Content Measurement

Water content is measured using ISO method ISO 287:2017 specifying an oven-drying method for the determination of the water content of nonwoven.

2. Microscopic Image

Microscopic images of specimens are taken using an Optical Microscope such as VR-3200 (KEYENCE, Japan) or equivalent. An appropriate magnification and working distance are chosen such that the aperture is suitably enlarged for measurement. The image is analyzed using ImageJ software (version 1.52e or above, National Institutes of Health, USA) to measure an aperture size.

3. Aperture Quality Test

(1) Sample Preparation

When a nonwoven is available in a raw material form, a specimen with a size of 50 mm×50 mm is cut from the raw material. When a nonwoven is a component of a finished product, the nonwoven is removed from the finished product using a razor blade to excise the nonwoven from other components of the finished product to provide a nonwoven specimen with a size of 50 mm×50 mm A cryogenic spray (such as Cyto-Freeze, Control Company, Houston Tex.) may be used to remove the nonwoven specimen from other components of the finished product, if necessary.

(2) Image Generation

Aperture quality such as aperture size, aperture aspect ratio, aperture rate, and aperture clarity measurements for a nonwoven are performed on images generated by placing the specimen flat against a dark background under uniform surface lighting conditions and acquiring a digital image using an optical microscope such as Keyence 3D Measurement System VR-3200 or equivalent. Analyses are performed using image analysis program such as ImageJ software (version 1.52p or above, National Institutes of Health, USA) and equivalent. The image needs to be distance calibrated with an image of the ruler to give an image resolution, i.e. 67.8 pixels per mm After performing an auto-focus step, the microscope acquires a specimen image with a rectangular field of view that includes an aperture region, which is a region containing i) one entire discrete apertured pattern, or ii) at least 35 mm×20 mm area containing at least 20 apertures, whichever is available.

(3) Image Analysis—Binary Image

Open a specimen image in ImageJ. Convert the image type to 8 bit. The 8-bit grayscale image is then converted to a binary image (with “black” foreground pixels corresponding to the aperture regions) using the “Minimum” thresholding method: If the histogram of gray level (GL) values (ranging from 0 to 255, one bin with propensity P_(i) per gray level i) has exactly two local maxima, the threshold gray level value t is defined as that value for which P_(t−1)>P_(t) and P_(t)≤P_(t+1). If the histogram has greater than two local maxima, the histogram is iteratively smoothed using a windowed arithmetic mean of size 3, and this smoothing is performed iteratively until exactly two local maxima exist. The threshold gray level value t is defined as that value for which P_(t−1)>P_(t) and P_(t)≤P_(t+1). This procedure identifies the gray level (GL) value for the minimum population located between the dark pixel peak of openings and the lighter pixel peak of the specimen material. If the histogram contains either zero or one local maximum, the method cannot proceed further, and no output parameters are defined.

(4) Aperture Size, Aspect Ratio, Aperture Rate and Opening Rate

Set the scale according to the image resolution. Create a filtered image by removing small openings in the binary image obtained in (3) Image Analysis above using an outlier removing median filter, which replaces a pixel with median of the surrounding area of 5 pixels in radius if the pixel is darker than the surrounding. Create a second filtered image based on the first one by removing stray fibers in the binary image using an outlier removing median filter, which replaces a pixel with the median of the surrounding area of 5 pixels in radius if the pixel is brighter than the surrounding. Set the measurements to include the analysis of aperture area and shape descriptor (i.e. aspect ratio, which is the ratio between the major and minor axis length of a fitted ellipse, after replacing an area selection with the best fit ellipse by keeping the same area, orientation and centroid as the original selection). Obtain the area and aspect ratio values of selected openings (“quality apertures”) after tracing openings by their outer edge and excluding the openings with size below 0.10 mm² and incomplete openings at the edge of acquired image.

(4-1) Aperture Size

Area values for all the quality apertures are analyzed to calculate the mean and standard deviation of the aperture size to the nearest 0.01 mm². The mean aperture size is reported as aperture size. The relative standard deviation (RSD, defined as the standard deviation divided by the mean and multiplied by 100) of the area values for all the quality apertures is calculated to the nearest 1%.

(4-2) Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio values for all the quality apertures are analyzed to calculate the mean and standard deviation of the aspect ratio to the nearest 0.01 as describing the aperture shape. The mean aspect ratio is reported as aspect ratio. The relative standard deviation (RSD, defined as the standard deviation divided by the mean and multiplied by 100) of the aspect ratio values for all the quality apertures is calculated to the nearest 1%.

(4-3) Aperture Rate

Aperture rate is obtained by the equation below.

Aperture rate=(number of quality apertures/number of target apertures)×100

The number of target apertures herein means the total number of apertures intended to form which may be determined by tooling designs such as number of pins in a pin-aperturing apparatus. The number of quality apertures is divided by the number of target apertures and multiplied by 100 to give the result of aperture rate. Prepare and analyze a total of five substantially similar replicate samples. The reported values will be the arithmetic mean of the five replicate samples to the nearest 1%.

(4-4) Opening Rate

Divide the sum of the area values of all the quality apertures by the area of the rectangular field of view for one specimen image, and multiplied by 100 to calculate the opening rate. Prepare and analyze a total of five replicate samples in the same view size. The reported values will be the arithmetic mean of the five replicate samples to the nearest 0.01%.

(5) Aperture Clarity

Aperture clarity is determined by the measurement of percent occlusion (i.e. the percentage of the aperture area occluded by stray fibers.) Create a filtered image by removing small openings in the binary image generated in (3) Image Analysis—Binary Image using an outlier removing median filter, which replaces a pixel with the median of the surrounding area of 6 pixels in radius if the pixel is darker than the surrounding. Remove the stray fibers from apertures using a morphological closing filter, which performs a dilation operation followed by an erosion operation under the settings of one adjacent foreground (or background) pixel for dilation (or erosion) and pad edges when eroding, before filling the remaining holes in the apertures. Subtract the original binary image from the filtered image, keeping only positive values to show the stray fibers within apertures and measure the total area of stray fibers. The total area of stray fibers is then divided by the total area of apertures from the filtered image and multiplied by 100 to give the result of percent occlusion reported as aperture clarity to the nearest 0.01%.

EXAMPLES Example 1: Preparation of Deformed Nonwovens

Nonwoven 1: 35 gsm spunlace 100% cotton nonwoven (CHTC, China) without moisturizing was supplied. Water content of the nonwoven measured by Water content Measurement disclosed herein, was 8% by weight of the nonwoven. The nonwoven was continuously proceeded with a pin aperturing process using an apparatus to form a plurality of apertures to obtain nonwoven 1. A temperature of pins in the apparatus was 105° C., and contact time of the nonwoven at tooling was 20 seconds. FIG. 5 is a microscopic image of nonwoven 1 taken according to the Microscopic Image under MEASUREMENT.

Nonwoven 2: 35 gsm spunlace 100% cotton nonwoven was supplied and moisturized so that the nonwoven has a water content of 20%. The nonwoven was continuously proceeded with a pin aperturing process using the same aperturing apparatus and process as used to produce nonwoven 1. FIG. 6 is a microscopic image of Nonwoven 2 taken according to the Microscopic Image under MEASUREMENT.

Nonwovens 3-5: Nonwovens 3-5 were produced using the same nonwoven, aperturing apparatus and process as used to produce Nonwoven 2 except for using water contents of 32%, 40% and 53%, respectively. FIG. 7 is a microscopic image of Nonwoven 4 taken according to the Microscopic Image under MEASUREMENT.

Nonwoven 6: Nonwoven 6 was produced using the same aperturing apparatus and process as used to produce nonwoven 2 except using 35 gsm 100% rayon (from Beijing Dayuan) instead of 35 gsm 100% cotton and a water content of 55%. FIG. 8 is a microscopic image of Nonwoven 6 taken according to the Microscopic Image herein.

Nonwovens 7-9: Nonwovens 7-9 were produced using the same nonwoven, aperturing apparatus and process used to produce Nonwoven 2 under deformation conditions described in Table 1 below. FIGS. 9 and 10 are microscopic images of Nonwovens 7 and 9 respectively taken according to the Microscopic Image under MEASUREMENT.

Nonwoven 10: Nonwoven 10 was produced using 35 gsm spunlace 100% cotton nonwoven by moisturizing the nonwoven to have a water content of 16%, and conducting a pin-aperturing under deformation conditions described in Table 1. FIG. 11 is a microscopic image of Nonwoven 10 taken according to the Microscopic Image under MEASUREMENT.

Nonwoven 11: 35 gsm 100% cotton nonwoven was produced using a water jet punching process to obtain nonwoven 11. FIG. 12 is a microscopic image of Nonwoven 11 taken according to the Microscopic Image under MEASUREMENT.

Nonwovens 12 and 13: Embossed Nonwovens 12 and 13 were produced using 35 gsm spunlace 100% cotton nonwoven, and the same embossing apparatus and process except for water contents (8% in Nonwoven 12 and 32% in Nonwoven 13) of nonwoven as indicated in Table 1 below. FIGS. 13 and 14 are microscopic images (image size: 35 mm×11 mm) of Nonwovens 12 and 13, respectively, taken according to the Microscopic Image under MEASUREMENT.

Example 2: Nonwoven Characteristics

Number of quality apertures, aperture sizes, aspect ratios, aperture rates, aperture clarity (occlusion) of nonwovens produced in Example 1 were measured according to Aperture Quality Test under MEASUREMENT, and are indicated in Table 1 below.

Image field-of-view sizes are 31 mm×26 mm for Nonwovens 1-9; 37 mm×33 mm for Nonwoven 10; 36 mm×20 mm for Nonwoven 11; and 35 mm×11 mm for Nonwovens 12 and 13.

TABLE 1 Nonwoven 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Deformation process Pin aperturing NW Water content (%) 8 20 32 40 53 55 44 Pin temperature (° C.) 105 105 105 105 105 105 48 Contact time (s) 20 20 20 20 20 20 300 Image FIG. 5 FIG. 6 FIG. 7 FIG. 8 FIG. 9 No. of target aperture 39 39 39 39 39 39 39 No. of quality aperture 9 10 26 37 34 40 38 Aperture rate (%) 23 26 67 95 87 >100 97 Aperture size (mm²) 0.16 0.23 0.35 0.61 0.63 0.98 0.56 SD of size (mm²) 0.05 0.12 0.16 0.21 0.30 0.32 0.24 Aspect ratio 1.57 1.42 1.31 1.21 1.27 1.20 1.37 SD of Aspect Ratio 0.26 0.10 0.19 0.19 0.29 0.21 0.51 Opening Rate (%) 0.18 0.29 1.16 2.80 2.66 4.87 2.62 Occlusion (%) 6.50 5.93 5.36 4.41 5.02 4.15 5.74 Nonwoven 8 9 10 11 12 13 Deformation process Pin aperturing Water-jet embossing embossing aperturing NW Water content (%) 40 40 16 NA 8 32 Pin temperature (° C.) 78 88 150 NA 116 116  Contact time (s) 20 20 0.5 NA 10 10 Image FIG. 10 FIG. 11 FIG. 12 FIG. 13 FIG. 14 No. of target aperture 39 39 42 — — No. of quality aperture 29 30 42 40 — — Aperture rate (%) 74 77 100 — — Aperture size (mm²) 0.43 0.40 1.03 0.55 SD of size (mm²) 0.25 0.21 0.24 0.52 Aspect ratio 1.49 1.34 1.25 3.32 SD of aspect ratio 0.59 0.18 0.17 1.50 Opening rate (%) 1.56 1.49 3.53 3.04 — — Occlusion (%) 3.28 4.15 4.89 9.17 — —

Nonwovens 2-9 produced by a process according to the present invention have more apertures than Nonwoven 1 produced by a related art using the same aperturing device.

Nonwovens 2-10 produced by a process according to the present invention have a higher aperture rate than Nonwoven 1 produced by a related art.

Nonwovens 2-10 produced by a process according to the present invention have a lower aspect ratio than Nonwovens 1 and 11 produced by related art.

Nonwovens 2-10 produced by a process according to the present invention have apertures with higher aperture clarity than Nonwovens 1 and 11 produced by relative art.

Nonwoven 12 produced by a process according to the present invention has more clear embossing than Nonwoven 13 produced by a related art using the same embossing device.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for producing a deformed nonwoven comprising cellulose-based fibers, the process comprising; (a) adjusting a water content of a nonwoven such that the nonwoven comprises at least one area having a water content of at least about 12% by weight of the nonwoven in the area, and (b) subjecting the nonwoven to a mechanical deformation process, the deformation process comprising mechanical deformation of the nonwoven and dewatering of the nonwoven to obtain a deformed nonwoven.
 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the dewatering is conducted by introducing heat to the nonwoven.
 3. The process of claim 1, wherein the mechanical deformation and the dewatering are carried out simultaneously.
 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the cellulosed-based fibers are fibers selected from the group consisting of cotton fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers and a combination thereof.
 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the mechanical deformation of the nonwoven is carried out by a process comprising: (i) subjecting the nonwoven to a deformation apparatus, the deformation apparatus comprising a first forming member and a second forming member, wherein the first forming member comprises first forming elements on its surface, wherein at least one of the first forming member and the second forming member is heated, and (ii) moving the nonwoven through a nip that is formed between the first and second forming members so that deformations are formed in the nonwoven as the first forming member and the second forming member are engaged.
 6. The process of claim 5, wherein the deformation apparatus comprises a pair of rolls.
 7. The process of claim 5, wherein the nonwoven contacts the first and second forming members for sufficient time the deformations are formed and dewatering of the nonwoven occurs.
 8. The process of claim 1, wherein the dewatering of the nonwoven produces a deformed nonwoven having a water content less than 20% by weigh to the deformed nonwoven.
 9. The process of claim 1, wherein the mechanical deformation is conducted prior to the dewatering.
 10. The process of claim 2, wherein the heat is introduced by a source selected from the group consisting of a heated roller, oven, burner, infrared radiation, and combinations thereof.
 11. The process of claim 1, wherein the nonwoven comprises cellulose-based fibers at least 50 wt % of the nonwoven.
 12. The process of claim 1, wherein the nonwoven comprises a spunlace web.
 13. The process of claim 1, wherein the mechanical deformation process is a process selected from the group consisting of an aperture forming process, a protrusion forming process, an embossing forming process and combinations thereof.
 14. The process of claim 1, wherein the water content of a nonwoven is adjusted by applying moisture to the nonwoven.
 15. The process of claim 1, wherein the water content of a nonwoven is adjusted by applying moisture to a pre-determined area in the nonwoven.
 16. The process of claim 8, wherein the water content of a nonwoven is adjusted by drying the nonwoven.
 17. The process according to claim 1, wherein the process further comprises the step of (c) drying the deformed nonwoven, so that the deformed nonwoven has a water content of less than about 12% by weight of the deformed nonwoven.
 18. The process of claim 1, wherein the nonwoven comprises a first layer comprising cellulose-based fibers and a second layer comprising thermoplastic fibers.
 19. A process for producing a deformed nonwoven comprising; (a) subjecting a fibrous web to an entanglement process to obtain a nonwoven, (b) adjusting a water content of the nonwoven such that the nonwoven comprises at least one area having a water content of at least about 12% by weight of the nonwoven, and (c) subjecting the nonwoven to a mechanical deformation process, the deformation process comprising mechanical deformation of the nonwoven, and dewatering of the nonwoven.
 20. The process according to claim 19, wherein the entanglement process is a hydroentanglement process or a needle punching process.
 21. The process according to claim 19, wherein the mechanical deformation and the dewatering are carried out simultaneously. 